Two-wheeled vehicle



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. A. BILZ.

TWO WHEELED VEHICLE.

Patented Aug. 8, 1882..

(No'ModeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2..

J. A. BILZ.

TWO WHEELED VEHICLE.

No. 262,273. Patented Aug. 8, 1882.,

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JOHN A. BILZ, or PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA.

'TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 262,273, dated August8, 1882,

Application filed April 21, 1882. (No model) To all whom it may concernBe it known that I, JOHN A. BILZ, of Pleasanton, county of Alameda,State of California, have invented an Improved Two-Wheel Vehicle; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof.

The object of my invention is to overcome the particular disadvantageattending vehicles of this class--namely, the communication ofthejogging motion of the horse to the seat-and to render the vehicle, bysuitable construction, an easy and pleasant mode of conveyance.

My invention consists of certain details of construction, as hereinafterfully described and specifically claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective viewof my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6are details of construction.

Let A represent the axle, and B the shafts. Upon the axle, inside of theshafts, are firmly clipped the springs D, upon each of which is bolted aplate or bar, 8, from which extends outwardlya. bolt or pin, to. Theshafts are secured to these bolts by means of a boxing. This consists ofa box, 0, with top pieces, 0, to which the shaftis bolted. In the boxare rubber cushions a and a metal plate, b, against which a set-screw,d, impinges to tighten the cushions around the bolts 10, which passesinto the box and between the cushions. The box is inclosed so that nodust can enter. By this construction I form a connection between theshafts and springs, and through the latter with the axle, which, becauseit is not rigid, will not allow the motion of the former to becommunicated to the latter, and at the same time I prevent the jarringof the shafts when the vehicle is passing over rough ground.

To the tops of the springs D are clipped blocks E, having projectingpieces 6. To these pieces are pivoted or hinged the cross-rod, F, curveddownward, as shown, and passing under the body G, which is supportedthereon. The rod F is not rigidly secured to the body, but passesthrough socket-bearings m upon each side of and firmly securedunderneath said body, so that the latter may have a play thereon.

To keep the axle from turning and secure it I have the following device:

Secured upon the shafts opposite the forward ends of the springs areupright tubes K, having a vertical slot upon theirinuer sides. Theirends are closed, and two heavy spiral springs, h, are placed in each,one above the other. Projecting outwardly from the forward ends of thesprings are pins or shafts l, the outer ends of which extend through theslots in the tubes K and lie between the adjacent ends of springs h. Toprevent rattling a rubber cushion, 1, is inserted between the uppersprings and the top of the tubes.

J is a cross-bar between the shafts in front of the body. To this aresecured upright tubes K, similar to tubes K, with slots upon their innersides and spiral springs h.

L are curved arms or rods secured to the front of the body, their outerends being in serted through the slots of the tubes K, and lie betweenthe adjacent ends of the two springs h. This furnish es a spring-supportfor the forward part of the body. The effect of this construction maythus be described:

It will be observed that the several connections between the shafts andaxle, shafts and body, and the body and springs are none of them rigid.An independent movement may be had by each. The consequence is that theshafts which primarily receive the jogging mo tion of the horse do notcommunicate it to any extent to the axle, and the latter does not effeetthe body, neither giving to it whatever motion it might receive from theshafts nor its own jarring motion; nor do the shafts affect the body infront, as the springs within the tubes yield sufficiently to counteractit, this being rendered possible because of the rocking of the body uponthe cross-rod between the springs.

The body has not only the advantage of the springs, but also of thehinged connection between its supporting-rod and the springs.

The springs and axle are prevented from turniug over and falling down bythe pins 1 and spring-tubes K, which connection does not affect theindependence of the body. Thus the whole construction of the vehicleenables the rider, when in the seat, to wholly counteract unpleasantmotion. To further this object I provide the back-rest M with aspring-connection.

N are the side arms or braces. Their lower ends are inserted between theadjacent ends of spiral springs within tubes 0, which lie horizontally,and are secured to the sides of the seat, being similar in constructionand operation to the tubes K, with their springs attached to thecross-bar J of the shai'ts. The upper ends of the arms have ahook-and-eye connection, 1', with the back-rest. Thus the back-rest andthe boxes 0, bolted to the shafts and having the cushions a, receivingbetween them a 20 bolt or pin, 20, secured to the springs and set by ascrew, d, substantially as and for the pur pose herein described.

2. In a two-wheel vehicle, the shafts B, with their cross-bar J, havingslotted tubes K, with 25 springs h, and the hinged cross-rod F, incombination with the body G, loosely journaled upon rod F, and havingarms L, extending within the slotted tubes K, substantially as and forthe purpose herein described.

In witness whereof I hereto set my hand.

JOHN A. BILZ.

Witnesses:

L. H. NoURsE, G. W. EMERSON.

